Clusia plant named &#39;whistar&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Clusia rosea  cultivar named ‘WHISTAR’ is disclosed, characterized by unique variegated leaves, strong branching and an upright, pyramidal plant habit. The new variety is a  Clusia rosea,  suitable for indoor potted plant production.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Clusia rosea

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘WHISTAR’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a chance, naturally occurring whole plant mutation of the parent variety, an unnamed, unpatented selection of Clusia rosea. ‘Whistar’ was discovered by Edward Bruinen, a citizen of the Netherlands in a commercial planting of Clusia rosea in February of 2003, at a commercial greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘WHISTAR’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed in Maasdijk, the Netherlands at a commercial greenhouse in June 2003 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type through successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘WHISTAR’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘WHISTAR’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘WHISTAR’ as a new and distinct Clusia rosea cultivar:

-   1. Unique variegated leaves. -   2. Strong branching. -   3. Upright pyramidal plant habit.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘WHISTAR’ are similar to plants of the parent variety ‘Clusia roseas in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘WHISTAR’ produce variegated foliage and stems whereas the parent variety has entirely green leaves and stems. Additionally, the new variety has a slightly slower growth rate than the parent variety.

The parent variety is also the best commercial comparisons to the new cultivar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘WHISTAR’ grown in a greenhouse. The pot size is a commercial 15 cm container. The plant shown is approximately 8 months old. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘WHISTAR’ plants grown in a commercial greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands from Fall to Spring. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 17 to 18° C. at night and 20 to 22° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types. No chemical or photoperiodic treatments were given.

-   Botanical classification: Clusia rosea ‘WHISTAR’. -   Propagation: -   Time to rooting: About 20 days at approximately 22° C. -   Root description: Small, fleshy, free-branching roots. -   Plant: -   Growth habit: Upright, pyramidal. -   Height: Approximately 105 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 65 cm. -   Growth rate: Rapid. Approximately 10 cm per month while actively     growing. -   Branching characteristics: Moderately branching, lateral branches     grow from a single main stem. -   Length of lateral stems: Average 16.8 cm. -   Diameter of stems: Approximately 0.7 cm. -   Quantity of lateral stems: Average 16. -   Internode length: Average 4.2 cm. -   Texture of stems: Rounded, smooth, moderately glossy. -   Stem pubescence: None. -   Color of stems: Near RHS Yellow-Green 143A, with stripes of both     Yellow-Green 145A and Yellow-Green 150C. -   Aspect: Straight. -   Stem strength: Very strong. -   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Average 10. -   Other stem characteristics: None. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 8 months old. -   Pot size of plant described: Approximately 15 cm. -   Foliage: -   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.         -   Average length.—Approximately 15.4 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 8.7 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Obovate.         -   Aspect.—Mainly flat and rigid, slight undulation near             margins.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Shortened attenuate.         -   Attachment.—Stalked.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, glossy, leathery.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, glossy, leathery.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Irregularly marbled with             background color near R.H.S. Green 143A and 143B and also             Green 144A. Blotches colored Yellow-Green 144A, 144C and             145D. Young foliage under side: Irregularly marbled with             background color near R.H.S. Green 143A and 143B. Blotches             colored Yellow-Green 150B and 150C. Mature foliage upper             side: Irregularly marbled with background color near R.H.S.             Green 137A. Blotches colored Yellow-Green 146A, 145D and             150D. Mature foliage under side: Irregularly marbled with             background color near both R.H.S. Yellow-Green 144A and             144B. Blotches colored Yellow-Green 150B.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color upperside: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 144C. Color underside: Near RHS Yellow-Green             145D. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—Average 0.5 cm.         -   Width.—Average 0.6 cm.         -   Coloration.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. -   Other Characteristics: Foliage highly resistant to tearing or     breaking due to mechanical stress. No stipules, tendrils, thorns, or     spines present. -   Flower: Bud production and flower production has not been observed     to date. -   Reproductive organs: Not observed due to lack of flower production. -   Other characteristics: -   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     diseases or pests has been observed in this variety. -   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Tender perennial, low     temperature tolerance is unknown. Tolerates high temperature to at     least 40° C. No drought tolerance has been observed. -   Fruit/seed production: Fruits and seeds have not been observed. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Clusia plant named ‘WHISTAR’ as herein illustrated and described. 